A New Exhibit Showcases Electric Sign Company Yesco’s Influence On Las Vegas
Las Vegas in 1954. Las Vegas News Bureau Collection, LVCVA Archive
From Las Vegas Weekly: For more than a century, the Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) has helped shape Las Vegas’ iconic, neon image. Founded in Ogden, Utah, by English immigrant Thomas Young, YESCO has supplied the Strip and other marqueed corridors with glowing signs since the 1920s.
Having been a presence here for so long, the company has become a part of Las Vegas’ cultural and visual evolution. And now, Lighting Up Las Vegas: YESCO Marks a Glittering Century, an exhibition presented by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) and the Neon Museum, uses archival photos and artifacts to take viewers through that history.
Historic Pocatello Indian sign to be relit at new location on Main Street on May 25
KIFI
From KIFI: POCATELLO, Idaho – Historic Downtown Pocatello’s Main Street will soon be lit up with an important piece of local history.
The historic neon Pocatello Indian sign has been installed at 359 Main Street, just one block away from the historic Chief Theater neon sign.
The new home for the neon Indian sign is a school district-owned building that currently houses the district’s career technical programs, namely the First Responders Academy, which includes EMT, firefighting and law enforcement.
2 LGBTQ bars oppose historic designation for downtown Austin buildings
Oilcan Harry’s is one of the gay bars affected by the proposed development project. Oilcan Harry’s/Facebook
From culturemap Austin: Owners of two LGBTQ bars in downtown Austin’s Warehouse District are pushing back on plans to grant historic designation to the buildings where the businesses are currently housed.
Those buildings are supposed to be razed to make way for a 43-story apartment tower that would incorporate a relocated Oilcan Harry’s, one of the gay bars affected by the project. But the Austin Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously on Thursday, May 5 to give historic designation to the buildings that would be demolished. The designation would be based on the presence of several historic masonry façades.
Saguaro Corners shines bright after 66 years
Pat Parris
From KGUN: TUCSON, Ariz. — Saguaro Corners is a legendary restaurant on the eastside, tucked away next to Saguaro National Park. It is as well known for its historic sign as it is for its burgers, tacos and ribs.
“Even in this day and age, I think they’re all surprised to see it sitting there,” said Sherry Baran.
She is describing the reaction people have at coming across Saguaro Corners Restaurantnear the entrance of Saguaro National Park.
The iconic sign reminds patrons and passers-by that Saguaro Corners has been around since 1956.
Billy Corgan Always Loved The Neon Orange Garden ‘Chop Suey’ Sign. Now He Owns It
The neon “Chop Suey” sign at Orange Garden restaurant. Chloé Mendel and her partner, Smashing Pumpkin frontman Billy Corgan, bought the sign at auction and plan to hang it at their Highland Park cafe. Dawn Rhodes/Block Club Chicago
From Block Club Chicago: NORTH CENTER — On their way to a Cubs game a few years ago, Chloé Mendel asked her partner, Billy Corgan, if he wanted anything as a present. They happened to be driving down Irving Park Road and passed Orange Garden’s iconic neon “Chop Suey” sign.
“[Billy] pointed up and said, ‘That’d be an awesome gift. I have always loved that sign,’” Mendel told Block Club Chicago in an email. “Of course, my reaction was, ‘Why do you ask me for the impossible?’”
But wait, wasn’t it the Smashing Pumpkins frontman and guitarist who crooned “the impossible is possible” in the 1995 hit, “Tonight, Tonight?” As it turns out, the lyrics proved prophetic.
“I saw on social media a photo of the sign and the words ‘AUCTION’ and I couldn’t believe it,” Mendel said. “I couldn’t miss this opportunity.”